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Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead
of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting
to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that
everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has
experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out
there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was
required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found
out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG!
So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the
Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs
at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years
of management has paid off in a way I never planned on!
Thanks in advance.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hey anal lady

You are not crazy for wanting to be prepared for the interview, AOS is a
very important step in the immigration process and we all want to be
ready!http://www.kamya.com/interview/aosint_1.html Here you will find loads of
valuable information from people who've been there, done that!
Where are you filing??

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hey anal lady

You are not crazy for wanting to be prepared for the interview, AOS is a
very important step in the immigration process and we all want to be
ready!http://www.kamya.com/interview/aosint_1.html Here you will find loads of
valuable information from people who've been there, done that!
Where are you filing??

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Excerpts from the Kamya Interview resource:
Lots more like that there ... just have to look.

•
•
• Literary Guild letter & Adelphia Cable work order, both in my
name for an address that matched the address on the NYSEG and Bell
Atlantic bills in Brian's name.
• 2 invoices from our mechanic with both our names on them.
• Various bank statements for different accounts--all in both our
names. (Also had our check book to show her with both our names on the
checks.)
• Renter's insurance bill & policy--in both our names.
• Lease & security deposit receipt in both our names.
• My enrollment form for life insurance through my employer,
showing Brian as the beneficiary.
• One of each of our pay stubs which shows our pay going into the
samebank account (plus matching addresses).
• Receipt for the reception hall in both our names.
• Copy of our 1999 joint tax returns.
• Marriage certificate.
• Title for one of our vehicles in both our names.
At that point, I stopped and said we had things in our wallets to also
demonstrate a shared life (Visa cards with same acct# but one in his
name, one in mine; same address on our drivers' licenses; AAA membership
cards with same acct# but one in his name, one in mine; health insurance
cards with both our names listed). We also had our box of address labels
with both our names, an envelope full of wedding cards and Christmas
cards addressed to us both, a welcome notice from our church, church
envelopes in both our names and envelopes of photos. However, after the
above 11 items, she stopped us and said that was plenty. "You don't want
to see any pictures?" "No." *whew*
From another:

• Papers general
• Another filled out I-864 (Affidavit of Support) just on case,
(you had to have 5 times the 125% of the poverty line if you didn't make
it all in income alone)
• Passports
• driver's licenses
• Social security card
• Current letter of employment for you and/or your spouse showing
rate of pay and hours per week or salary, title of position
• Paycheck stubs, last three issued if possible
• divorce papers
• job assignment letter
• birth dates from mom and dad
• birth certificate
• Birth certification translated
• loans statements
• W2 Federal, state and local tax return
• (previous) medical examine including the supplemental shot
record
• Employment Authorization Card
• Form I-94
• Any notices and forms given to you by the INS
• Interview Letter
• Advance parole or other travel documents
• Petitioner's proof of citizenship
• Marriage certificate
• certified copy of marriage license
• Interview Letter
• Sworn statement from two common friends (not notarized) their
knowledge of us as a confide married couple: the spouse (b) the couple
lives together (c) the spouse is a welcome member of the family. These
affidavits should state the afficiants name, address, status in the US,
relationship to you and/or your spouse, and how he/she is knowledgeable
of said facts. At least one of these affidavits should be from a
neighbor. The affadavits should be detailed and informative, not general
statements. Stating we are in a loyal and true marriage.
• H1B visas
• photocopy of the visa my passport
• two new pass photos
• Proof of common residence
• Join bank statements
• Lease
• Notification from land lord that we live together
• Electric & gas bills
• Phone bill
• health insurance
• our life insurance (look for additional information map)
• video store / gym membership
• our check books
• our ATM cards
• carbon copies of checks (2 rent checks)
• Checks from our account we wrote and signed by both
• cards of our health insurance
• A copy of any bills or receipts possessing the names and
addresses of both you and your spouse (since marriage).
• Bills in general with our address
• Wedding Invitation
• medical bills
Documents we did not have:
• rental agreement at the apartment
• credit cards
• copies of our car title
• car insurance
• gym member ship
• checkbook that has carbon copies
• Canceled checks dating from the time of marriage until the
present, showing that both parties use the account.
• copies of our wills
• paychecks are directly deposited into the checking account.
• lease or rent receipts
• wedding bands.
Other documents
• our house keys
• picture of wife/husband in wallet

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Excerpts from the Kamya Interview resource:
Lots more like that there ... just have to look.

•
•
• Literary Guild letter & Adelphia Cable work order, both in my
name for an address that matched the address on the NYSEG and Bell
Atlantic bills in Brian's name.
• 2 invoices from our mechanic with both our names on them.
• Various bank statements for different accounts--all in both our
names. (Also had our check book to show her with both our names on the
checks.)
• Renter's insurance bill & policy--in both our names.
• Lease & security deposit receipt in both our names.
• My enrollment form for life insurance through my employer,
showing Brian as the beneficiary.
• One of each of our pay stubs which shows our pay going into the
samebank account (plus matching addresses).
• Receipt for the reception hall in both our names.
• Copy of our 1999 joint tax returns.
• Marriage certificate.
• Title for one of our vehicles in both our names.
At that point, I stopped and said we had things in our wallets to also
demonstrate a shared life (Visa cards with same acct# but one in his
name, one in mine; same address on our drivers' licenses; AAA membership
cards with same acct# but one in his name, one in mine; health insurance
cards with both our names listed). We also had our box of address labels
with both our names, an envelope full of wedding cards and Christmas
cards addressed to us both, a welcome notice from our church, church
envelopes in both our names and envelopes of photos. However, after the
above 11 items, she stopped us and said that was plenty. "You don't want
to see any pictures?" "No." *whew*
From another:

• Papers general
• Another filled out I-864 (Affidavit of Support) just on case,
(you had to have 5 times the 125% of the poverty line if you didn't make
it all in income alone)
• Passports
• driver's licenses
• Social security card
• Current letter of employment for you and/or your spouse showing
rate of pay and hours per week or salary, title of position
• Paycheck stubs, last three issued if possible
• divorce papers
• job assignment letter
• birth dates from mom and dad
• birth certificate
• Birth certification translated
• loans statements
• W2 Federal, state and local tax return
• (previous) medical examine including the supplemental shot
record
• Employment Authorization Card
• Form I-94
• Any notices and forms given to you by the INS
• Interview Letter
• Advance parole or other travel documents
• Petitioner's proof of citizenship
• Marriage certificate
• certified copy of marriage license
• Interview Letter
• Sworn statement from two common friends (not notarized) their
knowledge of us as a confide married couple: the spouse (b) the couple
lives together (c) the spouse is a welcome member of the family. These
affidavits should state the afficiants name, address, status in the US,
relationship to you and/or your spouse, and how he/she is knowledgeable
of said facts. At least one of these affidavits should be from a
neighbor. The affadavits should be detailed and informative, not general
statements. Stating we are in a loyal and true marriage.
• H1B visas
• photocopy of the visa my passport
• two new pass photos
• Proof of common residence
• Join bank statements
• Lease
• Notification from land lord that we live together
• Electric & gas bills
• Phone bill
• health insurance
• our life insurance (look for additional information map)
• video store / gym membership
• our check books
• our ATM cards
• carbon copies of checks (2 rent checks)
• Checks from our account we wrote and signed by both
• cards of our health insurance
• A copy of any bills or receipts possessing the names and
addresses of both you and your spouse (since marriage).
• Bills in general with our address
• Wedding Invitation
• medical bills
Documents we did not have:
• rental agreement at the apartment
• credit cards
• copies of our car title
• car insurance
• gym member ship
• checkbook that has carbon copies
• Canceled checks dating from the time of marriage until the
present, showing that both parties use the account.
• copies of our wills
• paychecks are directly deposited into the checking account.
• lease or rent receipts
• wedding bands.
Other documents
• our house keys
• picture of wife/husband in wallet

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hi Debs:

If you are truly organized like you say you are AND you are somewhat of
a packrat, you will have everything you need for an adjustment
interview.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hi Debs:

If you are truly organized like you say you are AND you are somewhat of
a packrat, you will have everything you need for an adjustment
interview.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

You're welcome, Debs.....

Since you read our interview account, you know that we carried two
plastic handled tub type things to the interview---one with originals in
folders divided by category, and one with the copies of everything in
tub one!

Since you read our account, you also know that one of the first
questions out of DAO Maher's mouth was, "****WHY**** is this file so
***THICK***????"

To which we answered, of course, "we're very thorough". On
hindsight, in our effort to be so completely prepared, perhaps it looked
a bit out of the ordinary to Ms. Maher of Chicago. On hindsight, I
truly believe that if our file *hadn't* been quite so thick (due to our
methodical, organized, anal, and packrat nature....), we wouldn't have
been barraged with accusations of a prior filing, an arrest record, a
waiver, an amnesty filing, etc. etc. etc.

Who knows. All I can say is, that in hindsight, I'd probably do it
EXACTLY the way we did it. Because that's just the way I am.
(Notice I said "I", not "we".... )

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

You're welcome, Debs.....

Since you read our interview account, you know that we carried two
plastic handled tub type things to the interview---one with originals in
folders divided by category, and one with the copies of everything in
tub one!

Since you read our account, you also know that one of the first
questions out of DAO Maher's mouth was, "****WHY**** is this file so
***THICK***????"

To which we answered, of course, "we're very thorough". On
hindsight, in our effort to be so completely prepared, perhaps it looked
a bit out of the ordinary to Ms. Maher of Chicago. On hindsight, I
truly believe that if our file *hadn't* been quite so thick (due to our
methodical, organized, anal, and packrat nature....), we wouldn't have
been barraged with accusations of a prior filing, an arrest record, a
waiver, an amnesty filing, etc. etc. etc.

Who knows. All I can say is, that in hindsight, I'd probably do it
EXACTLY the way we did it. Because that's just the way I am.
(Notice I said "I", not "we".... )

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hi Debs, It is better to bring way more than you need than not. Like
SG, I loaded down *J* with the biggest, most heaviest stuff!! I was so
anal about what I saved over the years. I had 5 years worth of all
bills, receipts from mortgage payments, school stuff, 5 previous years
income taxes, insurance policies, statements of pay raises, previous
filings with INS, letters from our friends proving our relationship,
cards from our wedding, both of our pay stubs from work, change of
beneficiary copies, anniversary cards from each other, bank account
statements, receipts of major purchases with both of our names on the
credit card, copies of our birth certificates, divorce decrees from
previous marriages, drivers licenses, ss cards, and tons and tons of
pictures of us over the years.
Well now once we got all of this together and mailed it out, we got a
notice from the INS that J's birth certificate was "null and void". We
could not understand this because he has been in law enforcement for
over 20 years, went through Desert Storm in the early 90's, and special
forces. His birth certificate was one of those little hospital
certificates with all pertinent info on it plus the baby's foot print
stamped on it. This was apparently good to get him through all of the
things in his life I just listed, but not good enough for the INS. We
consulted with many people about what we needed to do to *fix* this. We
went to the hospital where he was born and they said that they had no
record that he was born and the doctor who delivered him had passed on
years ago. When we went to county records, there was no record that he
had even been born! We consulted vital statistics in Raleigh, NC who
told us that they had no record that he had ever been born as well. We
were instructed to get an affidavit from his mother stating that he was
born to her and copies of both his children's birth certificates in
order to *make* a new birth certificate for him. (Thank God his mother
was still alive, otherwise I don't know what we would have done).
Anyhow, we compiled everything after 4 months of gathering info for his
new birth certificate and our AOS interview was scheduled only 7 months
later.
Now, needless-to-say, we had double the amount of stuff that I listed
above to bring to the interview. I had a little book bag on wheels (that
I wheeled to the INS office in Charlotte) and J had piles and piles of
stuff in his arms. When we were interviewed, the officer did not even
care to see all of the stuff I put together......not one thing. I asked
him if he would like to see any of the evidence of our relationship and
he said "No, you both came here very prepared, but if you would have
come into this office with only a very small file, I would have asked
alot more or requested additional information".
I guess it really looked good to the interviewer that we had so much
evidence. He was quite satisfied so this is all that mattered. It can't
hurt to bring as much as you possibly can think of, even if it does
include the kitchen sink too!

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

Hi Debs, It is better to bring way more than you need than not. Like
SG, I loaded down *J* with the biggest, most heaviest stuff!! I was so
anal about what I saved over the years. I had 5 years worth of all
bills, receipts from mortgage payments, school stuff, 5 previous years
income taxes, insurance policies, statements of pay raises, previous
filings with INS, letters from our friends proving our relationship,
cards from our wedding, both of our pay stubs from work, change of
beneficiary copies, anniversary cards from each other, bank account
statements, receipts of major purchases with both of our names on the
credit card, copies of our birth certificates, divorce decrees from
previous marriages, drivers licenses, ss cards, and tons and tons of
pictures of us over the years.
Well now once we got all of this together and mailed it out, we got a
notice from the INS that J's birth certificate was "null and void". We
could not understand this because he has been in law enforcement for
over 20 years, went through Desert Storm in the early 90's, and special
forces. His birth certificate was one of those little hospital
certificates with all pertinent info on it plus the baby's foot print
stamped on it. This was apparently good to get him through all of the
things in his life I just listed, but not good enough for the INS. We
consulted with many people about what we needed to do to *fix* this. We
went to the hospital where he was born and they said that they had no
record that he was born and the doctor who delivered him had passed on
years ago. When we went to county records, there was no record that he
had even been born! We consulted vital statistics in Raleigh, NC who
told us that they had no record that he had ever been born as well. We
were instructed to get an affidavit from his mother stating that he was
born to her and copies of both his children's birth certificates in
order to *make* a new birth certificate for him. (Thank God his mother
was still alive, otherwise I don't know what we would have done).
Anyhow, we compiled everything after 4 months of gathering info for his
new birth certificate and our AOS interview was scheduled only 7 months
later.
Now, needless-to-say, we had double the amount of stuff that I listed
above to bring to the interview. I had a little book bag on wheels (that
I wheeled to the INS office in Charlotte) and J had piles and piles of
stuff in his arms. When we were interviewed, the officer did not even
care to see all of the stuff I put together......not one thing. I asked
him if he would like to see any of the evidence of our relationship and
he said "No, you both came here very prepared, but if you would have
come into this office with only a very small file, I would have asked
alot more or requested additional information".
I guess it really looked good to the interviewer that we had so much
evidence. He was quite satisfied so this is all that mattered. It can't
hurt to bring as much as you possibly can think of, even if it does
include the kitchen sink too!

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi Debs, It is better to bring way more than you need than not. Like SG, I loaded down *J* with the biggest, most heaviest stuff!! I was so anal about what I saved over the years. I had 5 years worth of all bills, receipts from mortgage payments, school stuff, 5 previous years income taxes, insurance policies, statements of pay raises, previous filings with INS, letters from our friends proving our relationship, cards from our wedding, both of our pay stubs from work, change of beneficiary copies, anniversary cards from each other, bank account statements, receipts of major purchases with both of our names on the credit card, copies of our birth certificates, divorce decrees from previous marriages, drivers licenses, ss cards, and tons and tons of pictures of us over the years. Well now once we got all of this together and mailed it out, we got a notice from the INS that J's birth certificate was "null and void". We could not understand this because he has been in law enforcement for over 20 years, went through Desert Storm in the early 90's, and special forces. His birth certificate was one of those little hospital certificates with all pertinent info on it plus the baby's foot print stamped on it. This was apparently good to get him through all of the things in his life I just listed, but not good enough for the INS. We consulted with many people about what we needed to do to *fix* this. We went to the hospital where he was born and they said that they had no record that he was born and the doctor who delivered him had passed on years ago. When we went to county records, there was no record that he had even been born! We consulted vital statistics in Raleigh, NC who told us that they had no record that he had ever been born as well. We were instructed to get an affidavit from his mother stating that he was born to her and copies of both his children's birth certificates in order to *make* a new birth certificate for him. (Thank God his mother was still alive, otherwise I don't know what we would have done). Anyhow, we compiled everything after 4 months of gathering info for his new birth certificate and our AOS interview was scheduled only 7 months later. Now, needless-to-say, we had double the amount of stuff that I listed above to bring to the interview. I had a little book bag on wheels (that I wheeled to the INS office in Charlotte) and J had piles and piles of stuff in his arms. When we were interviewed, the officer did not even care to see all of the stuff I put together......not one thing. I asked him if he would like to see any of the evidence of our relationship and he said "No, you both came here very prepared, but if you would have come into this office with only a very small file, I would have asked alot more or requested additional information". I guess it really looked good to the interviewer that we had so much evidence. He was quite satisfied so this is all that mattered. It can't hurt to bring as much as you possibly can think of, even if it does include the kitchen sink too!

Hi:

On the birth certificate situation, the "null and void" phrase was
incorrect. However, it is not uncommon for non-lawyer immigration
officers to mis-use legal terms of art. That cerficate was perfectly
valid, just not "sufficient" to prove US birth for CIS purposes.

BTW, did "J" ever obtain a US passport? If so, THAT would have been
sufficient to prove US citizenship. [My dad's birth was recorded in
1921, but his name was hand written in Grandpa's native language and
misspelled at that. It was of no import and he went through life just
fine until he went to obtain a passport in the early 1970's].

I had a case once where we had to prove the birth of grandpa in North
Dakota in 1870 in order to establish the US citizenship of the
petitioning father wh had been born in Canada in 1918. Slight problem
-- North Dakota did not record births until 1876. How did we do it to
satisfaction of INS [in Pheonix BTW]? First, we showed official
publications re non-availabilty of pre-1876 birth certificate. The we
presented certified copy of 1896 marriage certificate from North Dakota
records stated that groom was born in 1870 in North Dakota. Also,
Canadian birth certidates of petitioner and his two brothers from
offical Canadian records from 1910 to 1918 which stated father father's
age and that he was US born. Finally, the petitioner's 1946 Canadian
marriage certficate noted that the father of the groom was US born.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi Debs, It is better to bring way more than you need than not. Like SG, I loaded down *J* with the biggest, most heaviest stuff!! I was so anal about what I saved over the years. I had 5 years worth of all bills, receipts from mortgage payments, school stuff, 5 previous years income taxes, insurance policies, statements of pay raises, previous filings with INS, letters from our friends proving our relationship, cards from our wedding, both of our pay stubs from work, change of beneficiary copies, anniversary cards from each other, bank account statements, receipts of major purchases with both of our names on the credit card, copies of our birth certificates, divorce decrees from previous marriages, drivers licenses, ss cards, and tons and tons of pictures of us over the years. Well now once we got all of this together and mailed it out, we got a notice from the INS that J's birth certificate was "null and void". We could not understand this because he has been in law enforcement for over 20 years, went through Desert Storm in the early 90's, and special forces. His birth certificate was one of those little hospital certificates with all pertinent info on it plus the baby's foot print stamped on it. This was apparently good to get him through all of the things in his life I just listed, but not good enough for the INS. We consulted with many people about what we needed to do to *fix* this. We went to the hospital where he was born and they said that they had no record that he was born and the doctor who delivered him had passed on years ago. When we went to county records, there was no record that he had even been born! We consulted vital statistics in Raleigh, NC who told us that they had no record that he had ever been born as well. We were instructed to get an affidavit from his mother stating that he was born to her and copies of both his children's birth certificates in order to *make* a new birth certificate for him. (Thank God his mother was still alive, otherwise I don't know what we would have done). Anyhow, we compiled everything after 4 months of gathering info for his new birth certificate and our AOS interview was scheduled only 7 months later. Now, needless-to-say, we had double the amount of stuff that I listed above to bring to the interview. I had a little book bag on wheels (that I wheeled to the INS office in Charlotte) and J had piles and piles of stuff in his arms. When we were interviewed, the officer did not even care to see all of the stuff I put together......not one thing. I asked him if he would like to see any of the evidence of our relationship and he said "No, you both came here very prepared, but if you would have come into this office with only a very small file, I would have asked alot more or requested additional information". I guess it really looked good to the interviewer that we had so much evidence. He was quite satisfied so this is all that mattered. It can't hurt to bring as much as you possibly can think of, even if it does include the kitchen sink too!

Hi:

On the birth certificate situation, the "null and void" phrase was
incorrect. However, it is not uncommon for non-lawyer immigration
officers to mis-use legal terms of art. That cerficate was perfectly
valid, just not "sufficient" to prove US birth for CIS purposes.

BTW, did "J" ever obtain a US passport? If so, THAT would have been
sufficient to prove US citizenship. [My dad's birth was recorded in
1921, but his name was hand written in Grandpa's native language and
misspelled at that. It was of no import and he went through life just
fine until he went to obtain a passport in the early 1970's].

I had a case once where we had to prove the birth of grandpa in North
Dakota in 1870 in order to establish the US citizenship of the
petitioning father wh had been born in Canada in 1918. Slight problem
-- North Dakota did not record births until 1876. How did we do it to
satisfaction of INS [in Pheonix BTW]? First, we showed official
publications re non-availabilty of pre-1876 birth certificate. The we
presented certified copy of 1896 marriage certificate from North Dakota
records stated that groom was born in 1870 in North Dakota. Also,
Canadian birth certidates of petitioner and his two brothers from
offical Canadian records from 1910 to 1918 which stated father father's
age and that he was US born. Finally, the petitioner's 1946 Canadian
marriage certficate noted that the father of the groom was US born.

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

I'm a USC whose husband had to adjust status. I brought similar things to
those mentioned before - life insurance beneficiary forms, health insurance
with both our names on it, the paperwork for the home we own together, car
insurance in both our names, bank statements in both our names, letters
showing we share credit card accounts, prescription receipts showing that
the address on my receipts and his is the same, and an album full of photos
showing us getting married, on vacation, hanging out with friends.

I put the paperwork in a folder and used little sticky notes to separate the
paperwork into categories.

The interview officer sifted through my stuff and just kept a couple of bank
statements (apparently she picked one from close to when we first got
married and one from several months later) and made copies of two wedding
photos. She also returned my sticky notes.

So I think if you have a good amount of evidence, they're going to realize
you're married.

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs -- Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

I'm a USC whose husband had to adjust status. I brought similar things to
those mentioned before - life insurance beneficiary forms, health insurance
with both our names on it, the paperwork for the home we own together, car
insurance in both our names, bank statements in both our names, letters
showing we share credit card accounts, prescription receipts showing that
the address on my receipts and his is the same, and an album full of photos
showing us getting married, on vacation, hanging out with friends.

I put the paperwork in a folder and used little sticky notes to separate the
paperwork into categories.

The interview officer sifted through my stuff and just kept a couple of bank
statements (apparently she picked one from close to when we first got
married and one from several months later) and made copies of two wedding
photos. She also returned my sticky notes.

So I think if you have a good amount of evidence, they're going to realize
you're married.

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs -- Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi Debs: If you are truly organized like you say you are AND you are somewhat of a packrat, you will have everything you need for an adjustment interview.

I have saved and filed EVERYTHING since day 1 as I am a real sap too! I
have all his letters, emails, our MSN conversations{don't want them to
read those! LOL} etc, hundreds and hundreds of pages. So we should be
all set. I was just checking to see if there was anything out od the
ordinary that I should save or have ready. I have 2 file boxes filled
with stuff already. All very neatly organized so it sounds like I
should just bring them.
Now to hear from them as to when! Thanks everyone.
Debs

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi Debs: If you are truly organized like you say you are AND you are somewhat of a packrat, you will have everything you need for an adjustment interview.

I have saved and filed EVERYTHING since day 1 as I am a real sap too! I
have all his letters, emails, our MSN conversations{don't want them to
read those! LOL} etc, hundreds and hundreds of pages. So we should be
all set. I was just checking to see if there was anything out od the
ordinary that I should save or have ready. I have 2 file boxes filled
with stuff already. All very neatly organized so it sounds like I
should just bring them.
Now to hear from them as to when! Thanks everyone.
Debs

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi: On the birth certificate situation, the "null and void" phrase was incorrect. However, it is not uncommon for non-lawyer immigration officers to mis-use legal terms of art. That cerficate was perfectly valid, just not "sufficient" to prove US birth for CIS purposes. BTW, did "J" ever obtain a US passport? If so, THAT would have been sufficient to prove US citizenship. [My dad's birth was recorded in 1921, but his name was hand written in Grandpa's native language and misspelled at that. It was of no import and he went through life just fine until he went to obtain a passport in the early 1970's]. I had a case once where we had to prove the birth of grandpa in North Dakota in 1870 in order to establish the US citizenship of the petitioning father wh had been born in Canada in 1918. Slight problem -- North Dakota did not record births until 1876. How did we do it to satisfaction of INS [in Pheonix BTW]? First, we showed official publications re non-availabilty of pre-1876 birth certificate. The we presented certified copy of 1896 marriage certificate from North Dakota records stated that groom was born in 1870 in North Dakota. Also, Canadian birth certidates of petitioner and his two brothers from offical Canadian records from 1910 to 1918 which stated father father's age and that he was US born. Finally, the petitioner's 1946 Canadian marriage certficate noted that the father of the groom was US born.

*J* never did get a passport, otherwise it would have been so easy for
us and we could have filed a lot earlier than we did. Even though this
was a long process, I am glad that things ended out the way they did,
when they did(his mother still being alive). He is now registered as
being born here in NC.
Before he got registered, he used to say,"Seems that my wife has more
status in this country than I do"!! LOL

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

Hi: On the birth certificate situation, the "null and void" phrase was incorrect. However, it is not uncommon for non-lawyer immigration officers to mis-use legal terms of art. That cerficate was perfectly valid, just not "sufficient" to prove US birth for CIS purposes. BTW, did "J" ever obtain a US passport? If so, THAT would have been sufficient to prove US citizenship. [My dad's birth was recorded in 1921, but his name was hand written in Grandpa's native language and misspelled at that. It was of no import and he went through life just fine until he went to obtain a passport in the early 1970's]. I had a case once where we had to prove the birth of grandpa in North Dakota in 1870 in order to establish the US citizenship of the petitioning father wh had been born in Canada in 1918. Slight problem -- North Dakota did not record births until 1876. How did we do it to satisfaction of INS [in Pheonix BTW]? First, we showed official publications re non-availabilty of pre-1876 birth certificate. The we presented certified copy of 1896 marriage certificate from North Dakota records stated that groom was born in 1870 in North Dakota. Also, Canadian birth certidates of petitioner and his two brothers from offical Canadian records from 1910 to 1918 which stated father father's age and that he was US born. Finally, the petitioner's 1946 Canadian marriage certficate noted that the father of the groom was US born.

*J* never did get a passport, otherwise it would have been so easy for
us and we could have filed a lot earlier than we did. Even though this
was a long process, I am glad that things ended out the way they did,
when they did(his mother still being alive). He is now registered as
being born here in NC.
Before he got registered, he used to say,"Seems that my wife has more
status in this country than I do"!! LOL

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

You're welcome, Debs..... Since you read our interview account, you know that we carried two plastic handled tub type things to the interview---one with originals in folders divided by category, and one with the copies of everything in tub one! Since you read our account, you also know that one of the first questions out of DAO Maher's mouth was, "****WHY**** is this file so ***THICK***????" To which we answered, of course, "we're very thorough". On hindsight, in our effort to be so completely prepared, perhaps it looked a bit out of the ordinary to Ms. Maher of Chicago. On hindsight, I truly believe that if our file *hadn't* been quite so thick (due to our methodical, organized, anal, and packrat nature....), we wouldn't have been barraged with accusations of a prior filing, an arrest record, a waiver, an amnesty filing, etc. etc. etc. Who knows. All I can say is, that in hindsight, I'd probably do it EXACTLY the way we did it. Because that's just the way I am. (Notice I said "I", not "we".... ) A tip: give Garry the heavier case to carry. ~SecretGarden

I can certainly RELATE the this.....must be a man thing to not be a
packrat or organized like us! Or a UK thing? nah...on second
thought...just a man thing. LOL And yes, he'll be carrying BOTH of
them!

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

You're welcome, Debs..... Since you read our interview account, you know that we carried two plastic handled tub type things to the interview---one with originals in folders divided by category, and one with the copies of everything in tub one! Since you read our account, you also know that one of the first questions out of DAO Maher's mouth was, "****WHY**** is this file so ***THICK***????" To which we answered, of course, "we're very thorough". On hindsight, in our effort to be so completely prepared, perhaps it looked a bit out of the ordinary to Ms. Maher of Chicago. On hindsight, I truly believe that if our file *hadn't* been quite so thick (due to our methodical, organized, anal, and packrat nature....), we wouldn't have been barraged with accusations of a prior filing, an arrest record, a waiver, an amnesty filing, etc. etc. etc. Who knows. All I can say is, that in hindsight, I'd probably do it EXACTLY the way we did it. Because that's just the way I am. (Notice I said "I", not "we".... ) A tip: give Garry the heavier case to carry. ~SecretGarden

I can certainly RELATE the this.....must be a man thing to not be a
packrat or organized like us! Or a UK thing? nah...on second
thought...just a man thing. LOL And yes, he'll be carrying BOTH of
them!

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

We got to Norfolk right on time, at 1pm. Once inside, someone directed
Mark to put our appointment letter in a letter box which had his name
and interview time printed on a sheet. About 2 minutes later, a woman
came out and called his name.

After reaching Ms Jones' desk, she had us raise our right hands and
swear to tell the truth. She asked for our drivers licenses for
identity verification, then had Mark sign and fingerprint a form, once
on each side. I'm not sure what the form was for, though. She also
mentioned that Mark's security checks were all completed, and seemed
pleased about that.

Ms Jones was extremely pleasant and friendly, which was so nice. It made
the experience much easier, I think. She started flipping through our
file (about one inch thick!) and made a comment about the medical exam.
You see, we'd sent Norfolk a letter a few months before requesting
clarification over whether Mark needed an updated medical exam or a
vaccination supplement for his AOS interview. We got a letter back
saying he did not require either. She basically confirmed what the
letter said, that it was just a default included on the appointment
letter but not actually needed for K1ers like Mark.

At that point, I asked Ms Jones about it, and told her that I'd heard of
many other K1ers who are told to get new medical exams done anyway. She
said that that shouldn't happen, because it just meant applicants had to
waste time and money getting something they really didn't need. She also
said that a memo had been sent out advising officers NOT to ask for
another medical exam when it wasn't required. Unfortunately I didn't
think at the time to ask her whether that memo was USCIS-wide or just at
Norfolk. But at the very least, she seemed to feel pretty bad for those
people who shell out $200-$400 for a medical exam that's for the most
part not needed.

Then she started asking Mark those questions that are obviously a
formality but have to be asked, such as, "Have you ever been a
prostitute?" and "Have you ever been a member of the Communist party?" I
couldn't help but muffle a giggle, which I know is totally immature but
I couldn't help it! It was also funny how she started ticking off "No"
before Mark even said his answers! And when she read the last one -- "Do
you plan on practicing polygamy?" -- I laughed out loud and said, "You'd
better not!" to which she also smiled.

Ms Jones asked us how and when we'd met, and Mark began telling her how
we'd met online in Feb 2002. She then asked how long it was until we'd
met in person, and he explained that due to job constraints we couldn't
meet for 7 months, until Sept 2002. She asked how we'd spent that time
apart, and I explained that we'd spent every day emailing, phoning
and/or chatting online. To my surprise she said something about how that
must have helped us really get to know each other well, to which we both
agreed. Then we told her that because we felt pretty certain that we
would ultimately end up together, we'd researched the K1 option before
Mark even came over, which allowed us to file the petition soon after he
returned to the UK. I also told her about how Mark got to meet my family
while he was here, how we got engaged, and that I travelled to the UK
later on to meet his family.

At that point, she asked for our photos. We had 3-5 of us together, with
and without relatives, including one from our wedding. She asked if
Mark's family had been able to attend, and he said no, but that they
came to visit us last fall for a bit. She commented on how pretty some
of the scenery was in our photos.

After the photos, she asked for documents showing we share a life
together. I'd brought one original and one copy of each item, but she
only wanted the copies. We gave her:

Also, I had updated the I-864 Affidavit of Support to reflect my 2003
income. I got the new form notarized, and included copies of my 2003 tax
transcript and W-2s. Ms Jones handed back to me the tax docs I'd
originally included for 2000, as they were now being replaced by 2003.

Ms Jones compiled everything together in our file and complimented us on
being so organized. I enthusiastically told her that I had more if she
needed it -- copies of letters and cards sent to us by friends and
family -- but she said we had "more than enough." Well, better too much
than too little, right?

She then took his passport and stamped the I-551 in it -- YAY! She also
gave him a confirmation letter that he'd been approved, and that he
could travel outside the US with the stamp until he receives his green
card, which he should get within 6 months. The letter also explains when
we have to apply to have the conditions removed, in Spring 2006.

After a congratulations and a handshake, it was over. We were outside
again at 1.35pm -- a whopping 35 minutes!

Thinking Ahead and Planning for AOS Interview

So me being the anal managerial type and always being a few steps ahead of the game {comes from being in my job for WAY TOO LONG} I am starting to think ahead about what to get ready for the Interview. I know that everyone gets their own "list" but was wondering what everyone else has experienced. As you know we are a VWP marraige so if there's anyone out there that can relate to this, maybe you can let me know what was required. Thanks to Secret Garden's Interview Experience Post I found out about the kids birth records etc. and already have them! Thanks SG! So please, if you will post what was asked of all of you to bring to the Interview, I will start getting everything together. My lawyer laughs at me being so organized. {he says I am a riot!} Guess all these years of management has paid off in a way I never planned on! Thanks in advance. Debs

We got to Norfolk right on time, at 1pm. Once inside, someone directed
Mark to put our appointment letter in a letter box which had his name
and interview time printed on a sheet. About 2 minutes later, a woman
came out and called his name.

After reaching Ms Jones' desk, she had us raise our right hands and
swear to tell the truth. She asked for our drivers licenses for
identity verification, then had Mark sign and fingerprint a form, once
on each side. I'm not sure what the form was for, though. She also
mentioned that Mark's security checks were all completed, and seemed
pleased about that.

Ms Jones was extremely pleasant and friendly, which was so nice. It made
the experience much easier, I think. She started flipping through our
file (about one inch thick!) and made a comment about the medical exam.
You see, we'd sent Norfolk a letter a few months before requesting
clarification over whether Mark needed an updated medical exam or a
vaccination supplement for his AOS interview. We got a letter back
saying he did not require either. She basically confirmed what the
letter said, that it was just a default included on the appointment
letter but not actually needed for K1ers like Mark.

At that point, I asked Ms Jones about it, and told her that I'd heard of
many other K1ers who are told to get new medical exams done anyway. She
said that that shouldn't happen, because it just meant applicants had to
waste time and money getting something they really didn't need. She also
said that a memo had been sent out advising officers NOT to ask for
another medical exam when it wasn't required. Unfortunately I didn't
think at the time to ask her whether that memo was USCIS-wide or just at
Norfolk. But at the very least, she seemed to feel pretty bad for those
people who shell out $200-$400 for a medical exam that's for the most
part not needed.

Then she started asking Mark those questions that are obviously a
formality but have to be asked, such as, "Have you ever been a
prostitute?" and "Have you ever been a member of the Communist party?" I
couldn't help but muffle a giggle, which I know is totally immature but
I couldn't help it! It was also funny how she started ticking off "No"
before Mark even said his answers! And when she read the last one -- "Do
you plan on practicing polygamy?" -- I laughed out loud and said, "You'd
better not!" to which she also smiled.

Ms Jones asked us how and when we'd met, and Mark began telling her how
we'd met online in Feb 2002. She then asked how long it was until we'd
met in person, and he explained that due to job constraints we couldn't
meet for 7 months, until Sept 2002. She asked how we'd spent that time
apart, and I explained that we'd spent every day emailing, phoning
and/or chatting online. To my surprise she said something about how that
must have helped us really get to know each other well, to which we both
agreed. Then we told her that because we felt pretty certain that we
would ultimately end up together, we'd researched the K1 option before
Mark even came over, which allowed us to file the petition soon after he
returned to the UK. I also told her about how Mark got to meet my family
while he was here, how we got engaged, and that I travelled to the UK
later on to meet his family.

At that point, she asked for our photos. We had 3-5 of us together, with
and without relatives, including one from our wedding. She asked if
Mark's family had been able to attend, and he said no, but that they
came to visit us last fall for a bit. She commented on how pretty some
of the scenery was in our photos.

After the photos, she asked for documents showing we share a life
together. I'd brought one original and one copy of each item, but she
only wanted the copies. We gave her:

Also, I had updated the I-864 Affidavit of Support to reflect my 2003
income. I got the new form notarized, and included copies of my 2003 tax
transcript and W-2s. Ms Jones handed back to me the tax docs I'd
originally included for 2000, as they were now being replaced by 2003.

Ms Jones compiled everything together in our file and complimented us on
being so organized. I enthusiastically told her that I had more if she
needed it -- copies of letters and cards sent to us by friends and
family -- but she said we had "more than enough." Well, better too much
than too little, right?

She then took his passport and stamped the I-551 in it -- YAY! She also
gave him a confirmation letter that he'd been approved, and that he
could travel outside the US with the stamp until he receives his green
card, which he should get within 6 months. The letter also explains when
we have to apply to have the conditions removed, in Spring 2006.

After a congratulations and a handshake, it was over. We were outside
again at 1.35pm -- a whopping 35 minutes!

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